Wikipedia:How to write a plot summary: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:34, 20 January 2025

Revision as of 18:36, 20 January 2025

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===Length===

{{shortcut|MOS:PLOTLENGTH}}

There is no universal set length for a plot summary, though it should not be excessively long. Well-written plot summaries describe the major events in the work, linking them together withwhile fairly brief descriptions ofminimizing the less-important scenes or paraphrase dialog.

The [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]] provides general guidance on length, with allowances for exceptions. The [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Film#Plot|Film style guideline]] and the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Novels#Plot|Novels style guideline]] both specify 400 to 700 words for full-length works. The [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Television#Plot section|TV style guideline]] specifies a maximum of 200 words for entries in episode lists and up to 400 words for standalone episode articles. The [[Wikipedia:VG/CONTENT|Video game style guideline]] advises no more than approximately 700 words.

While longer descriptions may appear to provide more information, a concise summary may be more informative if itcan highlightshighlight the most important plot elements. By focusing attention on the larger structures of the plot and leaving out unnecessary trivial detail, a shorter summary can often be helpful to enablehelp the reader to better understand the work.

==Maintenance over time==